The pharmacokinetics of pioglitazone in patients with impaired renal function

Aims To evaluate the effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics and safety of pioglitazone and its metabolites M‐III and M‐IV with impaired renal function and normal renal function. Methods In a phase‐I, open‐label, parallel‐group study, six healthy subjects with normal renal function (creatinine clearance> 80 ml min−1), nine patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30–60 ml min−1) and 12 patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance